Habitat ReStore outlets offer hurricane shutters at a big discount

Tropical Storm Emily is prompting some homeowners to consider shopping for hurricane shutters. But not all retailers have shutters these days, especially the cheaper, bulkier, galvanized steel ones.

That is why many money-conscious homeowners are turning to a lower cost option for buying shutters: Habitat for Humanity's four ReStore outlets in South Florida.

The nonprofit stores sell a variety of shutters, including the cheaper steel ones, that have been donated by merchants to help the charity build homes for poor families, said Nancy Daly, the manager of Habitat's Fort Lauderdale Restore.

The ReStore at 505 W. Broward Blvd. typically sells out of its shutter stocks quickly during a hurricane warning, Daly said. About 100 people waited in line after the last warning to buy hurricane shutters, she said. "They were lined up before the store even opened," Daly added.

John Romandetti of Plantation went to the Fort Lauderdale ReStore after he discovered the same shutters Habitat was offering would cost him twice as much at another retailer.

Habitat also carries hurricane shutters at its ReStores at 272 S. Dixie Highway in Boca Raton; 6831 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach; and 2299 NW 77th Terrace in Miami.

Monica Ruwe of Sunrise estimated the shutters she was buying at the Fort Lauderdale ReStore would save her $500 a year in insurance premium discounts. Last week, she bought shutters for her bedroom windows. She came back several days later to buy shutters for her sliding glass doors and two small bathroom windows. "Then I will have all my windows covered,'' she said.

"I think there is nothing more important than protecting your property,'' said Daly, a retired accountant who volunteers at the Habitat store in Fort Lauderdale.

But before plunking down money, consumers need to make sure they are buying approved hurricane shutters that will withstand hurricane winds, said Jack Fisher, Broward County building official.

Consumers also need to get the necessary permits and inspections on shutters from their city — or county if they live in an unincorporated area, he said. The local inspections ensure that the hurricane shutters have been installed properly and won't fly off during a storm, Fisher added.

Storm protection installations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties must use Miami-Dade code-approved products to receive building permits and pass inspections. Palm Beach County jobs can use materials approved by either Miami-Dade's code or the slightly less stringent standards under the Florida Building Commission.